France tops Germany 2-0 in Euro 2016 semifinal

wellsoccerTwo goals against Germany from Antoine Griezmann saw France into the Euro 2016 finals against Portugal. Griezmann’s first goal was a penalty in stoppage time in the first half, while the second took advantage of defensive errors by the Germans in the 72nd minute with a nice clean finish.

“I think there’s a lot of happiness around France tonight,” coach Didier Deschamps said.

France reached the final after a decade chasing victory since the Euro 2000.

“We’re very happy,” Griezmann said. “We have to keep our feet on the ground. We still have a match to go.”

France took the lead after Bastian Schweinsteiger handled the ball in challenge with Patrice Evra. Griezmann stepped up and put it to the goalkeepers right.

“I really wanted to take a penalty in a big match like that. I was very composed, I didn’t think twice,” Griezmann said.

That makes twice in two games that Germany has given away a penalty due to a handball.

“It’s just bad luck, just an unlucky action,” Germany coach Joachim Loew said of the penalty. “In a challenge, when you’re jumping, there are movements that you can’t really control.”

The German defense, which had not conceded a single goal in open play had a lapse in the 72nd minute which allowed Griezmann to receive and score from a pass with ease.

This is the first time in 50 years that Germany has been knocked out of a major tournament by the host nation.

“We had chances to come back,” Neuer said. “We played a good European Championship and it’s very bitter to go out.”